Hagia Sopfia. Istanbul. Turkey Audiobook (Free)

The audioguide tells the storyplot, details the architecture and reports interesting facts about the basilica of Santa Sofia, Divina Sapienza, the largest Byzantine monument. For 916 years, the basilica was Christian, while going back 481 it was Muslim. In 1934, it became a museum. For 900 years, before construction of the famous Duomo of Florence, in 1436, it acquired no equal with regards to the elevation of its interior. On the right side of the exonartece there’s a sarcophagus, in the green marble about Hagia Sopfia. Istanbul. Turkey of Thessaloniki, the last resting place of the Empress Irene, wife of John II. On his right, hanging in the wall, is certainly a copy of the religious edifice emanated by Manuele Comneno, in 1166.

Initially, there have been 4 rectangular marble slabs calculating 4.12 x 4.62 m. This is the ideal Byzantine inscription we realize. The main character of the composition is Christ sitting on the throne and holding the Gospel in his hand, open on the words: “Peacefulness for you. I am the light from the world”. Under his shape, Emperor Leo VI, is usually prostrated in front of the throne of Christ, also known as the Sage. At the bottom of the 16 columns, to the proper and left of the entry, alternate the monograms “Justinian Emperor” and “Teodora augusta”. The image of the Madonna in the basin as well as the figure from the Archangel Gabriel, located on the southern aspect from the bema arch (the next angel for the northern side is almost lost), will be the oldest figurative mosaics that have been preserved in Santa Sofia.

You are able to examine the 3D style of the cathedral and observe its interior through the MuByz App. The audioguide has been made by experts in the field of history and artwork.